Previously Published Articles

“It’s All In The Name – The Story of Place Names In Linden”  by Sherene Noble

           Nestled in the heart of Guyana, amidst lolling white, grey, and red sand hills, brown water creeks, blue water lakes, and clear water springs; in the lush green of Guyana’s Amazonian vegetation, is the sleepy little bauxite town called Linden.

          The story of how the town came into being is by no means a mystery. Three communities: Christianburg, Wismar, and McKenzie, merged into Macmarburg, then Markenburg. Markenburg eventually became a township on April 29th, 1970, and was given the name Linden. We have been told that George Bain Mackenzie, an adventurous American, discovered bauxite in the area in 1913 and commenced mining operations. This paved the way for the development of Mackenzie, named after him. We know that the Germans inhabited the land on the opposite bank of the Demerara River, 65 miles from the capital Georgetown. They named it Wismar, after a town and seaport in the northern regions of their native land. We have also heard stories of how the Dutch occupied the area immediately north of the boundaries of Wismar and combined the names of its then Governor, Christian Fenet, and his wife’s family name, Burg, to give Christianburg its moniker.

          But the story that eludes many is that of how the wards, the tiny villages that together form the three larger districts which in turn form the township, got their names. Rainbow City, Victory Valley, Half Mile, One Mile, Silvertown, Wisroc, Canvas City, and Amelia’s Ward to name a few, might sound like the work of some whimsical, quixotic mind, but each tells a poignant story of the town’s history, functions as a directional tool or stands testimony to the will of its people.

          Amelia’s Ward, perhaps the largest ward, is reputed to have derived the name Amelia from the daughter of the then-owner of the land. Within Amelia’s Ward are Cinderella City, Reliance, Brezina, and Hopetown Square (in Reliance). Hopetown Square is so named because each household has/had one or more members who hailed from Hopetown on the West Coast of Berbice. Brezina was named after the American company that built the houses in that particular section of the area. Reliance, more familiarly called ‘Self Help Scheme’, copied from Reliance on the Essequibo Coast and was a fitting name because its inhabitants ‘relied’ heavily on ‘self-help’ to forge their community into being. The name Cinderella City evokes a feeling of romanticism but it actually speaks of the vision of its denizen. Comprised mainly of poor squatters living in shacks, in 1970 Cinderella City had no roads, electricity, or potable water. However, the people there envisioned it rising to a position of stature, the ‘Cinderella’ of the town. Today, they are well on their way to accomplishing their vision as they continue to work to make their community one of the better ones in Linden. The performance of Master Terron Alleyne as Guyana’s top student at the National Grade Six Assessment in 2011 testifies to the aspirations of the people of Cinderella City.

          About one mile downhill from Amelia’s Ward is Rainbow City. Forty-odd years ago, it comprised several quaint cottages, gaily painted in lilacs and pinks, oranges and yellows, blues and greens. Rainbow City was thus more than apt a name for this kaleidoscopic community.

          Aback of Rainbow City lay a vast, swampy wasteland, teeming, as can be imagined, with a reptilian population as varied and interesting as in the heart of the Amazon. When it became necessary to have the Demerara River dredged to accommodate bauxite transporting vessels, it was suggested that the sand be deposited into the swamp. From this emerged the idea of ‘retrieving’ the land from the swamp and developing it into a housing scheme. Is it any surprise then, that this area which comprised houses made of painted aluminum sheets is called Retrieve?

          Let us now visit a few communities on the western bank of the Demerara River. These communities have names that are no less imaginative and informative than those on the eastern shore.

          Exactly half a mile from the historic Hamilton Train Station is the community of Half  Mile and one mile from that station lies – yes, you guessed it – One Mile. Wisroc is situated between Wismar and Rockstone and Green Valley lies in a lush, green valley. Does that mean that the Valley of Tears is a place where the inhabitants are always crying? Not by any means! But its myriad creeks, springs, and streams crisscrossing the landscape did make it seem like the valley cried tears. However, those living there felt the name had negative connotations, so they changed it to one that is definitely more upbeat – Victory Valley!

          Then there are Silvertown and Canvas City. Silvertown, with its unpainted silver aluminum houses glimmering brightly in the noonday sun, is neighbour to Canvas City, where its poor but resourceful populace used discarded canvas to construct homes they could proudly call their own.

          Each with its own unique story, these communities merged to form one cohesive unit, the town of Linden with its rich history and vibrant culture.

          So next time you hear the familiar refrain, “What’s in a name?” you may respond, “Location, direction, history, aspirations!”